ACPO Criminal Records Office
Annual Report 2010/11
ACPO Criminal Records Office
Delivering Operational Benefits to Law Enforcement
This report was written and produced by the ACPO Criminal Records Office. The text in this document
may be reproduced free of charge in any format or medium providing that it is reproduced accurately
and not used in a misleading context.
Contents
Contents
3
Introduction
4
The ACPO President
5
The ACPO Director of Information
6
Head of ACRO
7
Financial Accounts
8
Bureau
11
•
•
•
•
•
12
13
13
14
14
Police Certificates
Back Record Conversion
Subject Access
Non Police Agencies
Child Protection Certificates
International Development
•
•
•
International Development
Non European Union Exchange of Criminal Records
National Offender Management Service
United Kingdom Central Authority for the Exchange of Criminal Records
•
•
United Kingdom Central Authority for the Exchange of Criminal Records
Criminology and Forensic Research
Criminal Records, Operations and Intelligence
•
Criminal Records
•
•
•
Legislative and Policy Changes
Operations
Intelligence and ViSOR
15
16
17
18
19
20
22
23
24
25
27
28
Current Projects
29
Looking to the Future
31
Behind the Scenes
• HMIC Inspection Results
• Best Companies Awards
• Staff Attachments
• University Student Internships
• Staff Initiatives
33
34
35
36
37
37
3pg
ACPO Criminal Records Office
Delivering Operational Benefits to Law Enforcement
Introduction
The Association of Chief Police Officers
Criminal Records Office (ACRO) is a national
unit, governed by the Association of Chief Police
Officers (ACPO) and operating within Hampshire
Constabulary.
ACRO aims to keep communities throughout
the United Kingdom (UK) safe by recording and
using criminal records, fingerprints and DNA.
It also exchanges this information with other
countries to ensure that criminals are not able
to travel around the world committing crimes in
numerous countries without being caught.
ACRO was established in 2006 to help organise
the management of criminal record information
and improve the links between criminal records
and biometric information.
officers, Government Ministries, and executive
agencies and research to aid decision making in
the area of criminal records management.
The team was originally small, working out of A number of administrative functions are also
a loaned porta-cabin, and now employs more undertaken by ACRO on behalf of police forces,
than 195 staff, having become an internationally reducing the amount of paperwork they have to
process and removing the financial burden of
recognised policing organisation.
ACRO prides itself on its innovative approach to this work.
problem solving and is proud of the investment
it makes in staff, having won the title of Sunday
Times Best Place to Work in the Public Sector
2010 and achieving the highest rank for public
sector organisations in the 2011 Best Place to
Work in the Public and Third Sector awards.
ACRO is able to fund these areas of work
through the provision of police certificates to
people who are emigrating to countries including
Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa
and the United States of America (USA).
The following report details these key areas
of ACRO’s work, along with the organisation’s
accomplishments in the last 12 months and
aspirations for the 2011/2012 financial year.
The organisation also became the first in the
UK to achieve an ‘excellent’ grading from Her
Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabularies (HMIC)
immediately after inspection of Police National Details of ACRO’s financial accounts and a
Computer (PNC) practices.
section on some of the work that goes into
There are a number of key functions that make ensuring that ACRO continues to be the best
up ACRO including the provision of support public sector employer in the UK can also be
to national police operations, advice to chief found within the body of this report.
pg4
Sir Hugh Orde,
The ACPO President
public safety without
creating
stifling
bureaucracy.
From
ACRO, the evidence
base to support such
a system and, in due
course, commitment
In basic terms, criminals continue to look to to support compliance
exploit national borders to evade capture and and management will
continue to commit serious offences. Through be important.
the UK Central Authority for the Exchange of Last year I made the
Criminal Records (UKCA-ECR) data on any observation that we were entering a period where
UK offender who commits a crime within the the delivery model and governance of ACPO and,
European community can be recorded on the by extension, ACRO, would be reviewed and
PNC. Having visited ACRO, I have heard at first reformed. While decisions on the future national
hand details of investigations across UK police landscape for policing remain to be taken and
forces which have been assisted by this data. we continue to press the Government for clarity,
There is no doubt the operational benefits to I sense that the numerous reports and reviews
public safety are significant; crime is prevented of the last few months will eventually lead to
significant change. Whatever the outcome, I
and lives saved as a result.
ACRO now has staff working within the Serious have every confidence that ACRO can continue
Organised Crime Agency (SOCA), Interpol and to deliver an outstanding service. I was
Europol assisting with the exchange of data at pleased to see that service recognised through
an international and national level. Huge effort achieving the highest position for a public sector
goes into ensuring that records are kept up to organisation in the Sunday Times Best Place
date irrespective of the challenges of translation to Work 2011 awards. I greatly appreciate the
and compatibility. This was recognised by HMIC continued support of the Chief Constable of
awarding an ‘excellent’ grading when auditing Hampshire Constabulary and his staff in hosting
ACRO and supporting its activities.
ACRO compliance for use of the PNC.
Effective policing relies on information to be
delivered and shared in a relevant, accurate
and transparent way. The Association of Chief
Police Officers Criminal Records Office (ACRO)
continues to demonstrate its capability to meet
this demand and support operational policing
with up-to-date criminal record information.
For the future, I am pleased ACRO is now It is my pleasure to commend this 2010/2011
working with the Metropolitan Police Service, Annual Report to you.
Suffolk and Norfolk Constabulary in developing a
scheme where members of the public can apply
directly to ACRO to obtain their criminal history
on the PNC. This will cut the cost to forces and
deliver records more efficiently to the applicant.
ACRO also continues to make a significant
contribution to the debate around retention
of DNA and fingerprints. This will be a key
feature of the Protection of Freedoms Bill and
it is absolutely critical to policing that we get
an efficient and workable system that delivers
5pg
Ian Readhead,
The ACPO Director of Information
This
has
been
another excellent year
for ACRO.
In particular, the
activities now being
undertaken
by
our highly skilled
staff are having a
positive impact upon
community
safety
and the prevention of
crime on a national and international basis.
of an ‘excellent’ grading from HMIC with regard
to the management of compliance of PNC
operations and also recognition in The Sunday
Times Awards.
Finally I want to once again pay an accolade to
all of the community work undertaken by ACRO
staff.
This is making a real difference to the people
that we serve, be it by providing televisions to a
day care centre, helping out at the local schools,
providing financial support for Rock Challenge or
by clearing local woodland.
Communities in the UK are changing rapidly. This says much about the calibre, dedication
Increases in population, especially from and commitment that they have to the work of
other countries within Europe present unique ACRO and their wider empathy with local people.
challenges to all public services.
We are very lucky to have such fantastic people
For the police it means that we are frequently working for us.
dealing with individuals who have criminal
histories in other countries.
It is for this reason that we are determined that
ACRO continues to deliver through the UKCAECR and in liaison with the SOCA with regard to
capturing European and international conviction
data which can be placed upon the PNC.
ACRO undertakes a wide range of activities
which are focused upon good information
management practices and saves local forces
having to spend valuable time and resources
on business areas which are not core to their
current activities.
In this endeavour ACRO is regarded as a trusted
out-sourced provider with critical skills who are
able to deliver effective solutions.
At present, we calculate that we save the police
service 25% more than the funds they provide.
Our expectation is that over the next two years
we will be fully self sufficient.
Throughout this report, you will see some of
the tremendous work that has been delivered
by the staff, acknowledged in part by the receipt
pg6
Detective Superintendent Gary Linton,
Head of ACRO
This is ACRO’S 4th Annual Report and I believe
it articulates the richness and depth of our
work, which is ensuring that criminal record
management and identification are being used
to best effect in policing.
ACRO’s work around the management of
criminal records and identity of offenders is
now more relevant than ever before, in terms
of working with partners to bring offenders to
justice.
by Embassies and
High
Commissions
that we have more
than 100 additional
countries
seeking
to benefit from the
arrangements.
ACRO’s
activities
however,
stretch
beyond international
Thousands of additional overseas convictions exchange and police
relating to UK offenders are now in our police certificates. As an operational police unit we
systems and ACRO’s development of the have recognised the value of passing intelligence
European Criminal Records Information System into law enforcement in appropriate areas. The
(ECRIS), is showing tangible progress. The UK fact that we have now been able to invest in
is electronically connected to three European improvements in this area is contributing directly
Union (EU) Member States with a further three to the fight against crime at several levels of
countries’ connections expected imminently. criminality.
Our objective is to connect the UK to all other Running an efficient criminal records office has
also provided an opportunity to support police
26 Member States by April 2012.
The identity of overseas offenders remains a forces. Through a process of centralisation,
challenging area and I am delighted to report efficiencies and savings are transferable across
significant progress. ACRO has been very several police areas. Our work to centralise
persuasive with other Member States about subject access and carry out systematic back
improving the exchange of fingerprints for record conversion of the criminal record
law enforcement purposes and we have now microfiche, are two good examples of this.
All of this progress has only been achieved by
the tremendous support we continue to receive
from our parent organisations (the Association
of Chief Police Officers and Hampshire
Constabulary) as well, of course, from our
Significant developments such as our excellent body of staff who continue to achieve
fingerprint exchange, not only require highly national recognition for their commitment and
committed staff to deliver the desired outcome, dedication.
but also reliable sources of funding. Through the I hope you enjoy reading about the activities of
development of our ACRO police certificates we the ACPO Criminal Records Office in this Annual
generate a small margin of income that supports Report.
ACRO’s operational contributions. This service
also ensures that criminal record information is
available accurately and supports international
exchange work. The Police Certificate Bureau is
now so well developed and strongly supported
established a regular fingerprint exchange with
nine countries with more expected in the near
future. Our attachments to Interpol are ensuring
that operational benefits are derived from this
progress.
7
Financial Accounts
pg8
Revenue and Expenditure Account 2010/11
The ACRO financial accounts are produced Constabulary.
under the management of Hampshire This incurs a three year liability of 30% of the
Constabulary’s finance department, which cost, which is approximately £480,000 (£160,000
has continued to provide help and support p.a).
throughout 2010/11.
Another European funded project involving
The accounts show ACRO’s financial position ACRO is carrying out research to establish
relating to both revenue & expenditure on a Mutual Understanding of Criminal Record
services, capital expenditure and ongoing Information (MUCRI) across the EU. This is
operations.
funded in part by ACRO at a cost of £44,000.
The accounts will be fully audited under the The role of ACRO’s Non EU Exchange Criminal
Hampshire Constabulary arrangements in June/ Records desk (NEU-ECR), which is funded by
July 2011.
ACRO, is to exchange criminal record information
In the period 2010/11 ACRO spent £7.4m between Non EU countries to support operational
against an income of £7.6m, providing a surplus policing, via the Interpol route.
of £220,000.
The NEU-ECR will create or update PNC with
ACRO receives approximately £1m per annum relevant overseas criminal convictions. The
anticipated cost of this work is £300,000 p.a.
from PNC subscriptions.
This funding together with revenue generated
by ACRO is used to provide services back to
police forces.
These services include the back record
conversion of the microfiche library, processing
subject access requests on behalf of the majority
of police forces, and accessing foreign conviction
information.
All of these services provided by ACRO currently
cost in excess of £1.2m and offer operational
benefits to law enforcement and public protection
agencies in the UK.
This is an important feature of ACRO’s business
planning and evidences that current income
over expenditure is reinvested so as to save
police authorities having to find additional
funding to compensate for unavoidable national
commitments.
This will continue to be central to ACRO’s
strategic planning and represents a pragmatic
and robust approach to our financial
management.
Additional revenue is generated from the service
provided by ACRO to issue police certificates to
applicants wishing to obtain a Visa to emigrate
to a number of countries including Australia,
Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and the USA.
ACRO also generates revenue by providing
PNC services to other law enforcement and
government agencies.
ACRO is a co-financing partner with the
European Commission and is currently delivering
several projects; one of which is to establish a
fingerprint unit, in collaboration with Hampshire
9pg
Revenue and Expenditure Account 2010/11
INCOME
EXPENDITURE
ACRO
PNC Charge
£1,087,423
Other Income
£13,841
Info Commission Appeal
£35,307
Interest
£6,561
Home Office Funding
UKCA-ECR
£604,396
Service Income
Police Certificates
£4,589,017
Non Police Agencies£531,248
Subject Access
£701,100
UKCA-ECR
£16,259
EU Projects
Network of Judicial Registers
Project (UKCA-EIMS)
TOTAL INCOME
Surplus
10
pg
£106,689
£7,691,841
-£220,789
Employee Related Costs
£4,432,262
IT & Communications Costs
£582,555
Premises Costs
£1,404,009
Supplies & Services Costs
£856,797
Transport Related Costs
£985
Travel & Subsistence Costs
£194,444
TOTAL EXPENDITURE £7,471,052
NOTES
Overheads from ACRO general expenses
apportioned to all cost centres.
£1m remains lodged with Hampshire Police
Authority as surety against the risk of ACRO
being unable to meet any outstanding lease
payments and provision against future
liabilities. A further £750,000 has been added
in the 2010/11 financial year.
Bureau
The Subject Access Team has
launched a centralisation pilot
with Norfolk, Suffolk and the
Metropolitan Police resulting in
force savings and an improved
service.
The Back Record Conversion
(BRC) Team continues to provide
a free quality service to the
disclosure
vetting
agencies,
populating the PNC with historic
conviction information.
The Non Police Agency (NPA)
Team has extended its PNC
update service to additional
NPAs such as the Royal Society
for the Prevention of Cruelty
to Animals (RSPCA) and Civil
Aviation Authority, whilst the
police certificate service has
been extended to new countries.
The portfolio is advanced in its
delivery of a project, funded by the
European Commission, to support
fingerprint exchange across
the EU and utilise the Interpol
fingerprint database to identify
non EU nationals.
With responsibility for personnel,
the portfolio has established
a support team extending the
office hours until midnight.
The team supports all portfolios
as necessary and is delivering an
exciting overseas child protection
initiative in partnership with the
Child Exploitation and Online
Protection Centre (CEOP).
Nicholas Apps
Senior Manager
Police Certificates
convictions are. If no convictions are found
the certificate will also reflect this.
Unlike subject access disclosures the police
certificate does not include information about
investigations in which a person was involved
but for which no conviction followed.
ACRO provides police certificates to people
applying for Visas to emigrate to countries
including Australia, Canada, New Zealand,
South Africa and USA.
During the last 12 months a number of
additional countries have started to request a
police certificate as part of their immigration
process.
Each certificate shows whether a person has
a criminal record in the UK and if so what their
12
pg
As a result of the work it does producing police
certificates, ACRO is able to notify forces within
the UK when it discovers duplicate PNC records.
This often occurs when firearms licences have
been placed on a separate record from previous
convictions. Police officers may need to know
this information when responding to calls.
Police certificates work also enables ACRO to
make forces and other policing agencies aware
if somebody who is due to appear in court, is
listed as wanted, or is on the sex offenders
register and is intending to leave the country.
ACRO issued approximately 90,000 police
certificates during the 2010/2011 financial year.
Back Record Conversion
This
work
is
conducted
on
behalf
of
police
forces
throughout
the UK and is an
example of the work
ACRO
undertakes
to
remove
the
administrative burden from police forces
allowing them to focus on frontline policing.
This work is funded by ACRO, ensuring
that police forces’ resources can also be
concentrated on frontline policing.
Stats
The process of BRC revolves around converting
old microfiche records into electronic PNC
records which can be accessed by police using
today’s modern systems.
• The BRC Team has updated almost
25,000 microfiche records to the PNC,
adding more than 450 serious historical
convictions since June 2009.
• Offences added include: -29 murders/attempted murders
-71 sex offences (including 29 rapes/
attempted rapes)
Approximately 90% of records converted by
ACRO’s BRC Team are processed on behalf of
the disclosure agencies - the Criminal Records
Bureau (CRB), Disclosure Scotland and Access
Northern Ireland.
This work normally arises as a result of
applications made by individuals who are
applying to work with children or vulnerable
adults.
If a microfiche record is found as a result of
the request being made, the information will
be added to the PNC and will remain on the
individual’s criminal record ensuring their full
offending history is available to police forces
throughout the UK.
-15 manslaughters
-2 infanticides
-3 kidnappings
-62 woundings/GBH
-76 robberies
-54 drugs offences (including 18 which
involved importation)
Subject Access
ACRO provides this service on behalf of 45 of the police
forces in England and Wales, Northern Ireland, Jersey and
the Isle of Man. It allows members of the public to see
what information police hold about them on the PNC.
ACRO is in the process of developing a centralised service
which will remove the need for people to apply for subject
access via their local police force.
This project, which is currently in the pilot phase, should
result in a quicker service for applicants.
ACRO processes approximately 60,000 subject access
requests per year with about 30% matching a record on
the PNC.
13
pg
Stats
Non Police Agencies
• In the 2010/2011 financial year ACRO
increased the number of agencies for
which it provides a service from 12 to 28.
• More than 40,000 PNC checks have been
conducted a year on behalf of NPAs.
• ACRO provided 7,123 police certificates
In addition to the work ACRO undertakes to
help police forces, it also provides a service
to government agencies including the Prison
Service, Independent Safeguarding Authority
(ISA) and Ministry of Justice (MoJ). It conducts
PNC checks for these agencies.
The team also conducts checks on behalf
of regulatory bodies including the General
Teaching Council for England, the Nursing and
Midwifery Council and NPAs such as the RSPCA.
Arrest summons numbers are also generated
on behalf of the RSPCA, Environment Agency,
and a number of other NPAs, enabling
convictions generated by these cases to be
added to the PNC.
for entry clearance to the UK Borders
Agency (UKBA) in 2009.
• The team also provided 719 criminal
record disclosure certificates to the UKBA
in respect of Jamaican deportees.
behalf of the UKBA.
When foreign nationals apply for a UK Visa
they are required to provide fingerprints. The
UKBA checks these against INDENT1, the
national fingerprint database before passing
the information on to ACRO for a PNC check.
A certificate is then produced and used to
determine whether the Visa will be granted.
The team also provides certificates for
Jamaican nationals being deported from the
UK. The certificate accompanies the deportee
and ensures that the Jamaican authorities are
aware of the reason for deportation, criminal
history and fingerprints.
In addition the NPA Team conducts work on
Child Protection Certificates
ACRO is working with CEOP to ensure children in international
schools are protected from people who could pose a danger to them.
This project, which works in a similar way to ACRO’s police certificates
program, is designed to stop sex offenders from the UK obtaining jobs
overseas that give them access to the young people they are barred
from working with in the UK.
International schools registered outside of the UK have not previously
been able to check the conviction history of these people but can now
ask them to provide a child protection certificate prior to an offer of employment being made.
The certificates will be available to all UK passport holders and anyone who has lived in the UK
for more than six months if they will be entering international schools.
This project is in its pilot stage and is expected to go live later this year.
14
pg
International
Development
15
The International Development
portfolio
comprises
several
major strands of work with an
overall objective of increasing
awareness of and access to the
criminal histories of people who
have convictions overseas.
The International Development
Team works to establish routine
conviction
and
fingerprint
exchange with Non EU countries.
A signed agreement is in place
with Albania and negotiations are
underway with a number of other
countries.
The team works closely with the
MoJ and UKBA to reduce risks
from people extradited from the
UK and UK nationals convicted of
serious offences overseas.
Additionally
the
team
is
providing support to the MoJ
around the implementation of
new EU legislation that affects
policing in England and Wales.
It is also working closely
with the National Policing
Improvement Agency (NPIA) to
produce a national e-learning
package around data capture and
management of foreign nationals
subject to criminal proceedings in
the UK.
The International Development
Team
manages
ACRO’s
attachments with SOCA in
London, Interpol in France and
Europol in the Netherlands,
and is constantly exploring
opportunities
for
new
attachments.
The NEU-ECR Team works
on behalf of SOCA and has
responsibility for the exchange of
criminal records with up to 188
Interpol countries. It also updates
PNC for UK nationals repatriated
to the UK.
Michael McMullen
Senior Manager
International Development
The ACRO International Development Team is
working to identify countries whose nationals
commit the most serious crimes in the UK.
This work is designed to establish agreements
with those countries so that conviction
information, and where possible fingerprints,
can be exchanged.
This builds on a number of arrangements that
are already in place including via Interpol.
In recent years a number of reports have
criticised UK law enforcement and disclosure
agencies for their inability to access conviction
information from overseas.
16
pg
The intention is to provide UK police with
access to overseas conviction information
and give overseas police access to conviction
information for UK nationals.
This is an ambitious and challenging piece of
work to protect communities across the world
by preventing criminals from evading detection
by travelling to commit their crimes.
The International Development Team is
working closely with the NPIA National Centre
for Applied Learning Technologies (NCALT) to
produce a national e-learning package.
This will enable ACRO to make sure that police
officers, staff and colleagues in law enforcement
bodies are aware of how to access foreign
conviction information and how it can help
them to keep communities within the UK safe.
It will also detail what information officers
need to make a request.
This work is still in the early planning stages but
will contain several modules aimed at groups
including custody staff and senior investigating
officers.
There are thousands of UK nationals in
prisons overseas, some for very serious crimes
and some extradited from the UK to stand trial,
but the details rarely find their way back to the
UK.
The aim of these projects is to increase the flow
of information and provide UK law enforcement
agencies with better access to accurate data.
The intention is for ACRO to manage cases
that come to notice through Interpol ensuring
information is requested, records are updated
and any potential management of a subject is
arranged on their return to the UK.
The team is working with the MoJ to
effectively manage UK prisoners overseas. It
is also working with the UKBA to monitor
people extradited from the UK.
Non European Union Exchange of
Criminal Records
ACRO’s NEU-ECR desk is responsible, on
behalf of SOCA, for exchanging criminal record
information on behalf of the UK with Interpol
countries outside of the EU.
The NEU-ECR was established in 2011 when it
took on responsibility for this work, previously
conducted by SOCA.
The exchange of convictions between these
countries is designed to support the criminal
justice system and assist in protecting the
public by ensuring that serious criminals are
not able to commit crimes whilst moving from
country to country evading detection.
The team manages approximately 30,000
conviction notifications for non EU nationals
convicted in the UK each year.
It also receives information from non EU
Interpol countries when UK nationals come to
police attention and are convicted overseas.
Up to 30,000 notifications of non EU nationals
This will increase public safety and ensure
that police are able to obtain information easily
via the NEU-ECR desk.
The NEU-ECR notifies countries when their
nationals become the subject of criminal
proceedings in the UK.
17
pg
It also processes requests for conviction
information from Interpol countries when UK
nationals are subject to criminal proceedings
overseas.
The NEU-ECR processes fingerprints in
collaboration with Hampshire Constabulary’s
fingerprint bureau on behalf of SOCA’s fugitives
department.
This work is fully funded by ACRO meaning
that police officers are able to access foreign
records without incurring any additional cost.
convicted in the UK were sent to the relevant
countries during the 2010/2011 financial year.
As well as ensuring that the PNC is updated
when UK nationals offend abroad, the NEUECR is able to disseminate relevant intelligence
to law enforcement agencies to ensure that the
public are protected from crime.
Work is also conducted to obtain convictions
from non EU countries on behalf of UK police
forces and other prosecuting agencies.
Repatriation of UK Nationals
The NEU-ECR manages foreign conviction
data on behalf of the National Offender
Management Service (NOMS).
When a UK national has been convicted
overseas and is sentenced to a term of
imprisonment they can make an application to
serve the remainder of their sentence in the
UK.
If successful they are repatriated to the UK
where they will complete their prison sentence.
The NEU-ECR receives foreign conviction data
from NOMS, creates or updates the PNC record
and disseminates intelligence to the relevant
police force.
In 2010 the NEU-ECR, on behalf of NOMS,
processed and updated PNC with 150 case files
of repatriated UK nationals.
In 2010 ACRO updated the PNC records of
approximately 100 UK nationals brought home
after serving part of their sentence overseas.
18
pg
ACRO has taken responsibility for this work
in a bid to ensure public safety and correct
criminal record management.
United Kingdom
Central Authority
for the Exchange
of Criminal
Records
19
pg
The last year has seen
a
number
of
significant
developments within the UKCAECR.
From an operational perspective
the unit and its dedicated team
of staff assisted in a record
number of cases, providing
foreign conviction information
to frontline police officers for
inclusion in UK investigations and
criminal proceedings.
This work has assisted police
forces, law enforcement agencies
and the courts in identifying
‘wanted’ offenders by providing a
full criminal history from the home
country of people who are the
subject of criminal investigations.
A major development for the
unit is the conclusion of an EU
funded project to enable the
UKCA-ECR to electronically
exchange information with EU
Member States.
By the spring/summer of 2012
it is hoped the UKCA-ECR will
be electronically linked with
all
Member States, greatly
enhancing the efficient exchange
of criminal record information
across the EU.
The UKCA-ECR has supported
two
further
projects
this
year, designed to improve
the exchange of fingerprints
between EU central authorities
(assisting in the identification
of individuals) and to develop a
Mutual Understanding of Criminal
Record Information (MUCRI).
These are very positive steps for
policing in the UK.
Andrea Jackson
Senior Manager
United Kingdom Central Authority for the Exchange
of Criminal Records
crimes were committed. It also means that
those convictions can be used in court in the
same way as UK convictions.
The unit was established in 2006, is jointly
funded by the Home Office and ACRO, and is
managed by ACRO.
As well as receiving and processing
notifications when UK nationals are convicted
in EU Member States, the UKCA-ECR notifies
those countries when one of their nationals is
convicted in the UK.
The UKCA-ECR works on behalf of police
forces throughout the UK and is responsible for
exchanging criminal record information with
the 26 other EU Member States.
This area of ACRO’s work ensures that police
officers are able to obtain the full conviction
history of EU nationals regardless of where their
20
pg
This ensures that home countries are able
to keep complete records for their nationals
where possible.
It also processes requests from police officers
within the UK who want to find out whether
their suspect has convictions in another country
within the EU.
This has significantly increased the value of
the work of the UKCA-ECR and demonstrates an
increased awareness within the criminal justice
community of the importance of conviction
exchange.
In August 2010 new legislation, The Coroners
and Justice Act 2009, ruled that criminal courts
in England and Wales are obliged to take into
account foreign convictions for sentencing
purposes, in the same way as they would
English and Welsh convictions when available.
With 30% of EU conviction requests yielding
a positive conviction match, the operational
benefits of this work have been witnessed from
the police custody suite to the courtroom.
• During the 2010/2011 financial year
the UKCA-ECR received almost 6,000
conviction notifications for UK nationals
from EU Member States.
• Almost 33,000 notifications were sent to
EU Member States relating to their nationals
having been convicted of offences in the
UK.
• Almost 8,000 requests for conviction
information made to EU Member States on
behalf of the police and NPAs. These relate
to European nationals subject to criminal
proceedings in the UK. Approximately
26% (2,080) of these returned previous
convictions.
• Approximately 400 requests for conviction
information were processed by the UKCAECR for EU Member States seeking
information about UK nationals facing
court proceedings overseas.
• Approximately 30% of EU nationals
subject to criminal proceedings in the UK
have previous convictions in their home
countries.
Stats
The work of the UKCA-ECR enables front
line officers to access complete up-to-date
information and makes it difficult for criminals
to travel from country to country committing
offences and evading detection.
Increase in communications from Countries Subsequent to
Starting Electronic Exchange
During the last few
months the UKCA-ECR
has started to exchange
information electronically
with other EU Member
States.
1000
900
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
Feb
Notifications In
Requests In
This has lead to a
significant increase in the
volume of information
exchanged as each new
country is added.
March
21
pg
Y
D
A Romanian national, Gheorghe Avadani, was pattern of escalating gravity in your offending…
due to stand trial for violent rapes committed the previous conviction for rape [is] a serious
against two vulnerable women.
aggravating factor.”
The UKCA-ECR liaised with the Romanian Avadani was sentenced to an indeterminate
Central Authority and obtained details of a sentence with a minimum of 11 years
previous conviction in Romania for a similar imprisonment.
offence, for which Avadani had recently been He will only be released when he is no longer
released from a prison sentence.
considered to be a risk to the public.
The Romanian conviction was heard by the jury Investigating officer DC Karen Bramley,
after a bad character application was granted formerly of the Metropolitan Police Sapphire
by the judge.
Unit based at Haringey, said: “The use of foreign
Avadani disputed the conviction in his home
country but the UKCA-ECR, Romanian Central
Authority and the Romanian Embassy in London
were able to show that his fingerprints matched
those associated with the Romanian conviction.
E
S
Avadani was found guilty of four counts of
rape, one count of false imprisonment, two
accounts of assault by penetration and one
count of actual bodily harm.
A
C
When passing sentence, Judge Simon Davis
said that there were similarities between the
commission of Avadani’s previous offence and
those for which he was subsequently convicted
in the UK, in that the victims were vulnerable,
physical violence was involved and a knife was
used.
He said: “In my view you demonstrate a
U
T
S
conviction data can be of great importance to
police investigations.
“In my case, by working with the UKCA, I
was able to draw on their professionalism
and expertise to secure details of Avadani’s
previous conviction for
rape in Romania which
was put before the
court and used as bad
character evidence. This
information undoubtedly
assisted
in
providing
a successful outcome,
convicting a dangerous
offender who will now
spend a considerable
number of years behind
bars.”
Criminology and Forensic Research
The Criminology and Forensic Research
portfolio, established in April 2010, introduces
a bespoke research capability to ACRO.
a European Commission objective to develop
a ‘Mutual Understanding of Criminal Record
Information’ between EU Member States.
The aim of the portfolio is to engage skilled
staff, practitioner knowledge and academic
rigour in projects and research across ACRO.
- Research to develop a profile of UK nationals
engaged in sexual offending in the EU.
In the last financial year, the research portfolio
has overseen the following activities:
- Research to inform Government policy
regarding the retention of DNA.
- The provision of a project team to support
22
pg
- The support of student internships in order
to strengthen the career opportunities for
university graduates in the criminal justice
community.
- Strengthened
universities.
partnerships
with
local
Criminal Records,
Operations and
Intelligence
23
pg
During the past financial year
the National Operations Team has
been engaged in work to ensure
that those convicted of serious
crimes have their DNA taken and
recorded on the National DNA
Database (NDNAD).
It is hoped that this work could
help to solve cases that have never
been closed and will ensure that
if convicted criminals continue
to offend they can be tracked to
their offences more easily in the
future.
An
Intelligence
Unit
was
established in 2010 and sits
alongside the National Operations
Team. This unit is tasked with
identifying and disseminating
information that could assist
police forces and other law
enforcement agencies throughout
the UK and further afield to
identify criminality.
This year has also seen the
Criminal Records department
engaging in various national
projects.
The Criminal Records Team has
also been involved in the criminal
records review being conducted
by the Government’s Independent
Adviser on Criminality Information.
Current projects include a
review of criminal records held
in the police microfiche library
and securing access to the Police
National Database (PND) and
other police systems.
The ACRO Exceptional Case
Officer has continued to advise
police forces throughout the UK
when requests are made for record
removal under the Exceptional
Case Procedure (as defined in the
Retention Guidelines for Records
on the Police National Computer).
David McKinney
Senior Manager
Criminal Records
ACRO advises the Government, non
departmental public bodies, executive agencies
and police forces on matters relating to criminal
record management and the retention and
disposal of records.
The Criminal Records section provides
operational support and advisory services to
various ACPO portfolio leads, either through
direct association or through membership of
various national police groups.
This work relates primarily to the recording,
retention, disclosure and disposal of criminal
records held on the PNC.
The Criminal Records section works with
partner organisations to ensure that changes
to the law and the way records are maintained
are operationally viable and maintain public
safety at the highest possible level.
24
pg
Legislative and Policy Changes
For several years, Information Tribunals and
the courts have considered the policy on the
retention of criminal records and third party
disclosure. The Court of Appeal adjudication
in the ‘Five Chief Constables Case’ reaffirmed
the position set out in the ‘ACPO Retention
Guidelines for Records on the Police National
Computer’, published on March 31 2006, that
all records will be retained until a person is
deemed to have attained 100 years of age. It
also recognised that under Part V of the Police
Act 1997, the Criminal Records Bureau is to be
afforded access to all conviction information
held on the PNC for employment vetting
purposes.
Whilst the Court of Appeal was in
session, Sunita Mason was appointed as
the Government’s Independent Advisor for
Criminality Information Management and she
was asked to look at the relationship between
the retention of information held by the police
and its disclosure in support of employment
vetting processes. Her report entitled ‘A
Balanced Approach’ was published in February
2010.
In October 2010, Sunita Mason was asked to
chair a criminal records review. This review
would examine whether the current criminal
records regime strikes the right balance
between respecting civil liberties and protecting
the public.
Phase one of the review has been completed
and a report entitled ‘A Common Sense
Approach’ was laid before ministers in
March 2011. Many of the recommendations
contained in the report have been written
into the Protection of Freedoms Bill currently
before Parliament. The phase two report will be
published soon.
Both the ACPO Director of Information, Ian
Readhead and Head of ACRO, Detective
Superintendent Gary Linton, have been actively
engaged in this important work and both are
members of the Independent Advisory Panel
for the Disclosure of Criminal Records (IAPDCR)
which advises Sunita Mason on the work being
undertaken. The ACRO Criminal Records section
was asked to review the filtering models that the
IAPDCR were considering and they put forward
their own model for the panel’s consideration.
In April 2010, the Crime and Security Act
received Royal assent. Sections 1 – 7 of the
act provide additional police powers to take
fingerprints and DNA samples for qualifying
offences from convicted persons where no DNA
or fingerprints have previously been taken,
including those convicted outside of England
and Wales.
This change in legislation engaged ACRO in
Operation NUTMEG, an ongoing, ACPO led
exercise that requires forces to obtain DNA
samples from approximately 14,000 people
convicted of specified qualifying offences
including homicides, violent crimes and serious
sexual assault, where no DNA sample has
previously been obtained.
25
pg
matter” and there is an intention to legislate
“later this year”, “it is neither just nor appropriate
to make an order requiring a change in the
legislative scheme within a specified period”.
On 18th May 2011, the Supreme Court
provided adjudication in the case of GC & C
vs. Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis.
This case related to the decision made by the
European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in the
case of S and Marper v United Kingdom 2008
48EHRR 1169 (‘Marper ECtHR)’ that considered
the retention of biometric information following
a decision not to proceed to trial.
In brief, the Supreme Court determined that
the current arrangements for the retention of
biometric data under Section 64(1a) of PACE
1984 and the ‘ACPO Retention Guidelines for
Records held on the Police National Computer’
are a violation of Article 8 of the European
Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). In
their written submissions to the court, both
the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police
Service and the Secretary of State Home
Department accepted that the system needed
to be changed in order to conform to Article 8.
Changing the arrangements for the retention
of biometric data had been the intended effect
of the Crime and Security Act 2010. However,
due to the change in Government, the relevant
provisions were not brought fully into force
and the Protection of Freedoms Bill is now
the means by which the current Government
intends to legislate in line with and to give
effect to the decision in ‘Marper ECtHR’.
Whilst the present ACPO Retention Guidelines
were deemed to be unlawful, the court noted
that “since Parliament is already seised of the
26
pg
Accordingly, Parliament will now consider,
debate and perhaps alter the Government’s
proposed legislation but in the interim, it
remains lawful for police to continue to process
applications under the current scheme (viz
s64(1A) of PACE, and existing ACPO Retention
Guidelines). In this regard, cases which are
‘exceptional’ will continue to be processed by
police in the same manner as they were being
processed before the GC & C judgment.
A further relevant piece of work completed
at the end of December 2010 was conducted
by a working group. This comprised of
representatives from Hampshire Constabulary,
the Home Office, Her Majesty’s Courts Service
and ACRO. The group published a corporate
national standard for recording on PNC all
prosecutions brought by NPAs.
This document further provides appropriate
advice and guidance to the police and other
organisations that process NPA prosecutions
and brings together, in one reference document,
information that PNC bureau managers will
find useful in managing this important area of
business.
A man with dual UK USA nationality, was
wanted in North Carolina having absconded
after being placed on the Sex Offenders Register
for “indecent liberties with a minor”.
A Sheriff from the Sex Offender Unit in
North Carolina contacted ACRO’s Violent and
Sex Offenders Register (ViSOR) Team with
intelligence that he had returned to the UK.
E
S
The ViSOR Team conducted enquiries revealing
that a man with similar details was pending
prosecution in Tayside for housebreaking with
intent to steal.
A
C
Photographs were obtained from police in
North Carolina and Tayside and confirmed that
the man in Tayside was the absconder.
Y
D
to his conviction and sex offender status in
the USA with Tayside Police. Tayside applied
to court and were granted a Sexual Offences
Prevention Order requiring him to register as a
sex offender in the UK.
U
T
S
It was later found that he had been
downloading indecent images of children whilst
in the UK. He was convicted of housebreaking
and possessing indecent images of children.
The information about his previous offence in
the USA was made available to the court to be
used in sentencing.
He was sentenced to 12 months in prison for
the sexual offence followed by a six-month
supervision order.
The ViSOR Team shared intelligence relating
Operations
internationally to establish any links
between criminals and outstanding crimes.
The Operations Team has also dealt with
cases of lost personal data, ensuring that the
appropriate police forces were aware of those
most at risk as a result of the loss and were
therefore able to risk assess and manage the
situation at a local level.
The Operations Team is responsible for
providing expertise on policing issues,
particularly in the areas of criminal records
management and biometrics.
ACRO’s Operations Team manages and
provides support for a number of high profile
police operations with national and international
implications.
Records relating to DNA are a constant
theme throughout the operational work. This
has included co-ordinating the re-testing of
some DNA samples using newer techniques
and exchanging DNA profile information
Other information management operations
have been completed in less than 12 hours due
to the skills and adaptability of the operations
staff. ACRO has two major incident rooms, each
capable of accommodating 12 staff.
The unit is currently working to ensure that
everyone who has been convicted of a serious
crime has had their DNA taken.
This work has involved liaising with prisons
to obtain samples from people who have been
convicted of these types of offences but for
whom there is no DNA profile on the NDNAD.
This could be as a result of the sample being
taken but never analysed, taken incorrectly or
no sample being obtained.
27
pg
Intelligence & ViSOR
the UK they can be intercepted, identified
and added to the Sex Offenders Register (if
appropriate) and managed locally.
The ViSOR Team has built relationships with
law enforcement agencies around the world to
assist in the identification of serious offenders
who travel abroad.
Since 2007 ACRO’s ViSOR unit has processed
approximately 650 people convicted of serious
and violent offences around the world.
ACRO’s newly formed Intelligence Unit
has responsibility for gathering and sharing
intelligence information with police forces in
the UK, Europe and the rest of the world.
It has also ensured that 167 people have been
placed under the management of their local
police force to keep the general public safe.
This work is designed to utilise the information
ACRO receives to reduce the threat of organised
crime, terrorism and travelling sex offenders.
ACRO’s Intelligence Team also comprises a
ViSOR Team which works to ensure UK based
sex offenders who have committed crimes
overseas can be properly managed.
When the UKCA-ECR or NEU-ECR receives
notification of a UK national who has committed
sexual or violent offences overseas, the ViSOR
Team will be alerted and will assess the
information.
Stats
If it is considered appropriate, the team will
create an entry on ViSOR and will work with
the police, UKBA and public protection units to
ensure that if/when the individual returns to
28
pg
• Since 2007, the ViSOR team has:
-Processed around 553 EU and 101 non EU persons convicted of serious sexual and violent offences around the
world.
-Transferred 167 persons to the management of their local police
force Public Protection Unit.
• Since April 2010, ACRO has disseminated
311 pieces of intelligence to police forces
resulting from conviction exchange and
searches on the I/24-7 Interpol database,
including around 30 foreign nationals per
month who have come to the attention
of the police who also have information
markers against them on the Interpol
database, of which around 10 per month
are subject to a European Arrest Warrant.
Current Projects
Current Projects
conviction information. In Poland carrying a
knife is legal so the UK offence of ‘possession
of a bladed or pointed article in a public place’
is confusing to them.
Because all 27 EU Member States have their
own criminal codes and sanctions, it can be
challenging for the UKCA-ECR to interpret and
understand them in the context of UK laws.
The MUCRI Project is a 12 month project, part
funded by the European Commission, to study
the problems and challenges EU Member States
have in understanding each other’s criminal
records.
mucri
If a person was convicted of ‘negligent
fire-raising’ would you assume they were an
arsonist? If they were convicted of ‘negligent
bodily harm’ would you think assault?
The ‘negligent fire-raising’ offence was found
to relate to a set of Christmas tree lights that
caught fire and ‘negligent bodily harm,’ in
German criminal law, can relate to road traffic
accidents where somebody is injured.
This supports the criminal justice process,
upholds public safety and protects the rights
of people whose criminal record information is
exchanged between countries.
EU countries also struggle to understand UK
FEEU
Fingerprints have been used to identify
criminals since 1892. Today, they are taken
from everyone who is arrested by police in the
UK and compared with those on the national
electronic fingerprint database (IDENT 1).
IDENT 1 will show whether a person has had
fingerprints taken before, whether the same
name has been given on each occasion and if
they are a suspect in any unsolved crimes.
Criminals travel extensively, commit crimes in
numerous countries and can change
their identity with relative ease, but
they cannot change their fingerprints.
Whilst countries have exchanged
The European Commission awarded ACRO
funding to support the Fingerprint Exchange
between European Union Member States
(FEEU) project promoting fingerprint exchange
between Member States.
Since July 2011 ACRO, on behalf of the UK, is
exchanging fingerprints with nine other Member
States and is in negotiation with others.
ECRIS aims to enable efficient
electronic
exchange
of
criminal
conviction information between all 27 EU
Member States through a secure European
network. A Home Office mandate requires
ACRO to develop the ECRIS connection on
behalf of the UK including records held for
Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The UKCA-ECR currently exchanges criminal
records electronically with three Member States
(soon to be extended to seven) via the Network
of Judicial Registers (NJR) pilot project.
The general principles ruling information
exchange and function of the system are
regulated in Council Framework Decision
2009/315/JHA (on the organisation and content
of criminal record exchange between Member
States) with further details given in Council
Framework Decision 2009/316/JHA.
The UK Project, known as UKCA-ECRIS, aims
to co-ordinate exchange of three sets of UK
criminal records held on PNC (England and
Wales), Criminal History System (Scotland) and
Causeway (Northern Ireland) by April 2012 in
compliance with the framework decision.
ECRIS
30
information on criminals since
1959, the EU Framework Decision
(2009/315/JHA) allowed EU Member
States to exchange the fingerprints of those
convicted of (or under investigation for) crimes
committed in the EU.
ECRIS, at a European and UK level, is building
on lessons learnt from the NJR pilot to supply
an improved replacement and extend electronic
exchange to all 27 Member States.
Looking to the
future
31
Looking to the Future
Information management was not a term
that formed part of policing vocabulary 20
years ago. Today however, it has become part
of policing’s critical mass.
On that basis, it is hard to imagine how a
requirement for a centralised operational
function connected to police information could
diminish in future years.
The work of the UKCA-ECR and alongside
it, developing work to engage with other key
countries, is now crucial to criminal justice and
public protection. It is only through work such
as this that the UK is starting to identify the
gaps that exist, in relation to the capture of
information for operational police purposes.
The value of work like this in the future will
rely on our ability to manage domestic and
overseas information efficiently in a criminal
justice context.
Policy makers may feel the most effective way
to deal with this area is through the continuing
development of a national criminal records
office. Such a resource is also capable of
operationally managing aspects of criminality
information, such as ensuring all data is easily
available to frontline officers.
Whilst this clearly raises Information and
Communications Technology (ICT) challenges,
the operational part of this picture is something
that Chief Officers recognise sits well with the
ACPO Criminal Records Office.
During the short life of ACRO, there has been
a regular operational requirement to improve
information management. This has included
work with DNA information, integration of
overseas criminal records and improvements to
fingerprint exchange.
Supporting the introduction of new and
relevant legislation which has an impact upon
32
pg
information management in policing, is also a
key area supported by ACRO. The Protection
of Freedom’s Bill, which is currently being
progressed through Parliament and the Crime
& Security Act, are examples of new legislation
which a national criminal records office helps
interface with frontline policing in a practical
sense.
The national infrastructure in which policing
sits is currently under significant review. The
creation of a National Crime Agency and the
decommissioning of the NPIA are two examples
of this.
The Government has also set out in general
terms, a plan to introduce major changes in
relation to the governance of policing at both
local and national levels. Part of this general
statement has included proposals towards
shared services, as well as a reduction in scope
from centralised Government responsibilities.
Against this fluid background, it might be
argued that a national criminal records office,
which is delivering significant operational
benefits in respect of information management,
is a vital and stable element to the national
policing infrastructure.
ACRO is confident that the senior decision
makers from policing and criminal justice
arenas recognise this valuable contribution.
ACRO is also encouraged and excited by the
opportunities to continue to fulfil this important
aspect of the policing requirement.
Detective Superintendent Gary Linton
Behind the Scenes
33
Behind The Scenes
HMIC Inspection Results
ACRO was awarded a rare ‘excellent’ grading
by HMIC at the beginning of 2011.
The accolade, which is the first ‘excellent’ to be
bestowed on an organisation immediately after
inspection, is testament to the work that goes
into ensuring that conviction data is securely
handled and managed at ACRO.
The grading was awarded in a report which
recognises the efforts made by management
and staff to ensure outstanding PNC
compliance.
The report praises ACRO’s “quality ethic”,
and efforts to “improve quality and timeliness
standards nationally and internationally.”
The PNC is the system used by police to
store criminal records, intelligence and links to
biometric information.
ACRO accesses the database in order to
provide the services it offers to police forces,
other agencies and the public.
The inspection looked at accuracy, timeliness,
completeness and relevance of the information
added, transferred and updated by ACRO staff.
The report notes that the training and quality
of ACRO staff is “clearly of a high standard” as
“to date all attendees have passed with a mark
of 90% or greater”.
Annie Fursey, Bureau Deputy Manager, said:
“Having worked closely with HMIC during
the inspection process, I am delighted by the
“excellent” grading awarded to ACRO.
“The rating is indicative of the high standards
that we set and often exceed within ACRO.
“The inspection recognised the high level
of skill, enthusiasm and commitment of our
staff, who play a crucial role in making sure
the services we provide to police forces
throughout the UK and
further afield continue to be
excellent.
34
pg
“We are continually
looking for new ways
to improve our systems
and will be working to
implement the recommendations
made within the report.”
PNC staff operate in a number of ACRO’s
work areas including the production of police
certificates for people wishing to emigrate.
Staff also access the database to add the
results of NPA prosecutions, provide subject
access disclosures, and to locate sex offenders
and ensure they are properly monitored when
they enter the UK.
Additionally ACRO incorporates the UKCA-ECR
and has a Non EU Exchange of Criminal Records
desk, which works to obtain the convictions of
UK nationals who offend overseas and in return
notifies them when offences are committed by
foreign nationals in the UK.
As a result of this work it has established a
database of foreign offences (many of which
do not easy translate to English offences) to
assist in the correct maintenance of criminal
records.
The HMIC report says that the database is a
“valuable asset and at some time in the future
ACRO should be encouraged to share this with
the wider police community”.
It states: “The working practices detailed
above require an expertise far beyond that
normally found in most police forces.
“ACRO have, primarily by experience,
developed business processes to manage
complex international procedures exacerbated
by a multitude of foreign languages, penal
codes and complex cultural differences.
“There are many examples of good practice.”
Behind The Scenes
Best Companies Awards
ACRO
was
named
the best public sector
employer in the Sunday
Times Best Companies
to Work for in the Public
and Third Sectors Award
2011.
The competition, which
merged charities and the
public sector category for the first time saw
just 24 public sector organisations make the
top 100 in the category.
Last year ACRO won the Best Place to Work in
the Public Sector Award and was placed eighth
and providing
results for development
2011 showed aopportunities
6% overall
overall in the new joint category. The top Survey
throughout thewhen
organisation.
compared to last year’s
seven places were all awarded to charitable improvement
figures.
organisations.
ACRO’s results showed improvement in every
A total of 250 organisations took part with single category when compared to last year’s
49,000 employees completing surveys as part Best Place to Work in the Public Sector winning
result.
of the process.
In 2010 ACRO staff were asked to complete a
survey which looked at ‘Leadership’, ‘Wellbeing’,
‘My Manager’, ‘Fair Deal’, ‘My Team’, ‘Giving
Something Back’, ‘My Company’ and ‘Personal
Growth’.
Significant improvement was made in the
‘Giving Something Back’ and ‘Personal Growth’
categories where ACRO’s scores improved by
5%.
The feedback they gave was used to give
a score in each area, designed to show how
well the organisation is doing in terms of
looking after staff, ensuring they feel valued
The image above shows where ACRO ranked on the Best Companies star system in 2010 and
in 2011. This year’s result places the organisation just outside of the three star grade with a
score of 734.8.
35 pg
Behind The Scenes
Staff Attachments
ACRO introduced the opportunity for staff
to spend time working with its partner
organisations in 2010.
The scheme was designed to boost ACRO’s
understanding of the agencies it works with
and give staff a chance to develop their skills.
Staff have worked at SOCA, Interpol, Europol,
the CRB and the Albanian State Police.
The following are comments from some of the
staff who have taken part in the scheme.
“During my six months I have learnt how
Interpol works as an organisation and gained
knowledge
in
the fingerprint and DNA
department helping out on projects and
collating information from around the world to
see how Interpol identifies criminals.
“I have also had the
opportunity to assist
in departments such
as Crimes Against
Children Unit. I have
been very lucky to be
part of this organisation
for a short time and
hope to take my new
found knowledge with
me on my career in
law enforcement.” –
Sophie Purvis
“An invaluable project
which has led to excellent relationships and
co-operation with the Albanian State Police,
other government directorates, and the
efficient exchange of criminal and biometric
data between the two countries. With Albania’s
willingness to participate in this bi-lateral
agreement it is hoped that it will strengthen
their case on becoming an EU Member State
and assist both countries in bringing criminals
to justice.
“It has been a fantastic opportunity living in
another country, experiencing their culture,
pg 36
and gaining further insight and knowledge in
international policing.” – Shaun Scott
“I thoroughly enjoyed the few weeks I spent
at SOCA; it was an eye-opening experience
which I feel has improved my confidence and
understanding of the organisation.
“The attachment has given me an insight of
how ACRO and SOCA work alongside each
other, particularly in the UKCA-ECR and NEUECR departments. I have gained knowledge
on intelligence/conviction exchange with non
EU countries which was very beneficial to me
when I changed portfolios to the NEU-ECR.” –
Stephanie Prosser
“From my trip to CRB in Liverpool I believe
that it was good experience for a member of
staff who currently works within a growing and
evolving agency like ACRO to see and relate
to a larger, longer established branch which is
working to provide information and checks. It
gave an insight as to how ACRO could potentially
develop in the future and what structures could
be put into place and operated under to ensure
a continued valuable service to the public.” –
Andy Hamorak
“I feel that this attachment has been a great
opportunity and I feel that I have learnt so
much. I think that I will be able to bring a lot of
information back to ACRO, particularly within
the UKCA-ECR and intelligence pod.
“I think that further knowledge from the
attachment will be established as I get back into
my role at ACRO and the contacts I have made
here at Europol
will be a great
benefit. All-inall, I have loved
the experience
and I would
recommend the
attachments
to anyone.” –
Natalie Shorten
Behind The Scenes
University Student Internships
Following the success of the 2009
university intern scheme, initiated
in partnership with the Criminology
Department of Southampton Solent
University, ACRO has again given three
students a chance to gain work experience in
a policing environment.
The placements were offered to students who
had completed criminology degrees in order
to help them obtain jobs after graduation. All
applicants went through a competitive selection
process and were asked about their interests to
ensure the placements suited them.
The partnership has been beneficial for the
students involved and ACRO as an organisation.
Through the placements students are able
to gain knowledge and experience in a number
of ACRO’s work streams.
James Whatley one of 2010’s interns, who
has since been employed by ACRO, said: “The
internship was extremely helpful.
“I enjoyed working at the front of a fast
expanding business and was amazed at the
number of areas of policing ACRO is involved
in. It got me used to working in a police
environment and gave me experience that will
take me forward in my planned career. It has
also opened numerous doors, allowing me to
gain employment in what is a difficult time for
post graduates.”
Staff Initiatives
The ACRO Fairness and Equality Action Group
(FEAG), set up in September 2009, meets every
two months and is made up of representatives
covering disability, gender reassignment,
religion or belief, sexual orientation, pregnancy
and maternity, marriage and civil partnership,
sex, race and age.
Anyone with concerns in any of the diversity
areas can go to a representative for help and
advice. It is hoped that by improving the
working environment, the FEAG will benefit all
who work at ACRO.
ACRO’s Staff Representatives Committee
raised money for six charities during the
2010/2011 financial year ranging from Breast
Cancer Awareness to local charity Naomi
House. In total it raised £1,812.82. £492.55
has already been raised in 2011 thanks to a
charity day for Help for Heroes.
A charity day scheme has been introduced in
2011. This initiative enables staff to take one
day per year to support community projects
and give something back to the community.
To date staff have helped with reading sessions
at a local primary school, maintaining local
woodland, helping the local Multiple Sclerosis
Society branch, working alongside The Prince’s
Trust to build a camp area and working in a
local day care centre for the elderly.
The group continues to host special interest
talks for staff on a regular basis, inviting internal
and external guest speakers to ACRO.
Talks have included a Senior Investigating
Officer from the Soham murder enquiry, CEOP,
Civil Aviation Authority and SOCA.
37 pg
The ACRO Team
ACPO Criminal Records Office
Delivering Operational Benefits to Law Enforcement
ACPO Criminal Records Office
PO Box 481
Fareham
Hampshire
PO14 9FS
Phone: +44 0845 60 13 999
Email: [email protected]
Visit our web pages by following the links at www.acpo.police.uk.